Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Cóctel de Camarónes)

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail also known as Cóctel de Camarónes is a delectable cornucopia of shrimp, onions, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, and jalapenos in a slightly spicy tomato dressing.  The end result is nothing short of a flavor blast for your senses.  A mouthwatering experience from the sweet smell of the cilantro and Mexican hot sauce to the taste of the creamy avocado and crisp cucumber.   For a complete meal serve with Barbacoa Tacos and Spanish Rice Recipe.

What is Mexican Shrimp Cocktail?

Probably a lot of you are familiar with the typical shrimp cocktail of 6-8 shrimp lining a glass with cocktail sauce in the center.  This appetizer recipe is about one thousand percent tastier than that. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is a salad with crisp veggies like cucumbers, onions, and celery.  Now add creamy avocado, sun-ripened tomatoes, and fresh zesty jalapenos.  Top with a slightly spicy tomato sauce and your taste buds will be dancing the Macarena.

How do you make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail?

First peel and devein your cooked shrimp.  Please see my helpful hints on deveining shrimp. Next chop the onions, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, and jalapenos reserving the avocado and jalapeno for last. Next snip a large bunch of cilantro with kitchen shears.  If you don’t have kitchen shears you can certainly chop it.  Add all the chopped goodies and peeled shrimp to a large bowl.  Squeeze lime juice over the top and stir gently to coat.

In a small bowl whisk together ketchup, salsa style tomatoes and Mexican hot sauce.  Doing this separately will allow you to adjust the hot sauce to taste. Gently stir the sauce and cut cilantro into the shrimp.  Chill for about one hour.  Spoon into small individual serving glasses and if desired garnish with more cilantro and lime slices.

Helpful tips for making Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

• Purchase already cooked shrimp from a local grocery store that does a good job on steaming shrimp with the shell on and not overcooking them.
• If good steamed shrimp are not available you can steam your own. For easy beer steamed shrimp simply place beer in the bottom of a steamer and bring to a boil.  Add shrimp that has not been peeled.  Reduce to a simmer and cook until pink which usually takes about 5 minutes.  Make sure the shrimp is elevated above the simmering beer.  You want it to steam not boil.
• Cut your vegetables fairly small and mince the jalapeno. You want the shrimp to be the star of the show.
• For a milder jalapeno taste remove seeds and membranes. Use food handling gloves to do this.  If you do not have any gloves a sandwich bag will work in a pinch.
• Adjust the hot sauce to your liking.  Some people only like a smidgen while others want a boat load.

How do you pick mild jalapenos?

With just a little understanding you too can pick jalapenos that are flavorful yet mild.  Look for the younger peppers that are smooth, green and free of striations.  These young peppers are less stressed and  much milder. Stay away from  any peppers with white lines and/or flecks.  These peppers are older and hotter.

How do you peel and devein shrimp?

Arrange a clean area to work near the kitchen sink as you will need cold running water.  To peel the shrimp simply pull on the legs and the shell will begin to peel away.  For this particular recipe remove the tails.  Now take a small pairing knife and make a shallow cut down the center of the shrimps back to the top edge of where the tail was. To remove the black intestine run the cool water over the back of the shrimp and rub so the vein will rinse out easily.

Other shrimp recipes you will love!

• Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce
• Shrimp Creole
• Shrimp and Grits Southern Style with Cheesy Grits
• Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp

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